Martin Frizell to leave GMTV

Long-serving GMTV editor Martin Frizell is to leave the breakfast TV broadcaster just two weeks after ITV took full control of the company, it has emerged.

ITV's head of daytime and lifestyle programming Sue Walton will take over from Frizell on an interim basis to oversee shows such as This Morning and Loose Women.

"I've had a blast but it feels this is a natural time to move on," said Frizell, who has edited GMTV for over a decade. "We achieved all we set out to do, won awards and made the sofa the institution it has become."

GMTV chief operating officer Clive Crouch added: "Martin has been a fantastic editor and has made an invaluable contribution to the success of GMTV over many years. He's been instrumental in editorial and commercial success and I will be very sad to see him go."

Since taking full control of GMTV after purchasing Disney's 25% stake for £22.25m, ITV has been busy integrating the broadcaster into its core operation.

As part of the changes, ITV regional director Neil Thompson will become GMTV's new managing editor to replace the outgoing Peter McHugh.